JP2010221930A - User operation assisting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user operation assisting device of a vehicle that can guide a driver to activate a control system in an environment suitable for activating the control system. <P>SOLUTION: The user operation assisting device of the vehicle includes a vehicle environment acquiring means for acquiring the vehicle environments, a determination means for determining whether the vehicle environments acquired by the vehicle environment acquiring means are suitable for activating a predetermined control system activated by user's operation, and an activating means for activating the predetermined control system. The device further includes a control means for activating the activating means when the vehicle environments are determined by the determination means to be suitable for activating the predetermined control system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle user operation assisting device that is mounted on a vehicle and assists a user's operation on various control systems.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles have been equipped with control systems that perform various controls such as constant speed travel control (ACC), inter-vehicle distance control, lane keeping control, EV (Electric Vehicle) travel control, clearance sonar, and the like. .

  In relation to this, the invention about the control apparatus of vehicles provided with an engine and a motor for a run is indicated (for example, refer to patent documents 1). In this control device, when the driver only selects that the engine is stopped and the vehicle is driven by the driving motor (motor driving), the motor driving is executed when a predetermined motor driving condition is satisfied. When the driver selects only activation of constant speed traveling control or inter-vehicle distance control, these are executed, and when the driver selects both motor traveling and constant speed traveling control or inter-vehicle distance control. Control is performed such that constant speed running control and inter-vehicle distance control are prioritized over motor running.

JP 2008-213727 A

  However, the conventional control system including the device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to understand the functions and effects of the control system and in what environment it is appropriate to use. In addition, the position of the switch that activates the control system is also difficult to understand for a vehicle user (driver) who has a small number of operations. This is because not all vehicle users read the vehicle manual carefully. As a result, there may occur a case where the control system is not started in an appropriate environment or the control system is started in an inappropriate environment.

  Specifically, for example, when operating an EV switch (which is a switch for shifting to the above-described traveling mode in which the motor traveling is performed preferentially) provided in the hybrid vehicle, (1) it is pressed simultaneously with the engine start switch. The engine will not start, (2) cannot move to motor driving at a vehicle speed above a certain level, (3) cannot move to motor driving when the charging rate of the battery that supplies power to the driving motor is low, etc. Prior knowledge is required, but this knowledge is not easily acquired.

  The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and provides a vehicle user operation assisting device that can guide a driver to start the control system in an environment suitable for starting the control system. The main purpose is to provide it.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides:
A vehicle user operation assisting device mounted on a vehicle,
Vehicle environment acquisition means for acquiring a vehicle environment;
Determining means for determining whether the vehicle environment acquired by the vehicle environment acquiring means is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system started by a user operation;
Starting means for starting the predetermined control system;
Control means for starting the starting means when the determining means determines that the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system;
It is a user operation auxiliary device for vehicles provided with.

  According to this aspect of the present invention, the driver can be guided to start the control system in an environment suitable for starting the control system.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The activation means may include a general-purpose switch that temporarily functions as a switch for activating the predetermined control system. If it carries out like this, the use increase of the vehicle space by providing a dedicated switch can be suppressed.

  In this case, the general-purpose switch may be installed at an end portion of the steering boss portion. In this way, the driver can operate with the thumb of the right hand or the like, and the driver can activate the predetermined control system without concentrating too much on the switch operation. As a result, it can contribute to traffic safety.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The activation means may include a software switch set on the touch panel.

  In this case, the software switch may be displayed superimposed on the map screen.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The activation unit may be a unit that receives a voice input for activating the predetermined control system.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The combination of the predetermined control system and the mode of the activation unit can be changed by a user editing operation.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The vehicle environment acquisition means includes means capable of acquiring a vehicle position,
The determination unit is a unit that determines that the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system when the vehicle position acquired by the vehicle environment acquisition unit reaches a predetermined position. Good thing.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The activation means activated in a specific vehicle environment can be changed by a user editing operation. In this way, it is possible to perform control that better meets the needs of the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The determination means learns whether or not the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, based on an activation state of the predetermined control system in the host vehicle. As good as In this way, it is possible to perform control that better meets the needs of the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
A receiving means for receiving information from outside the vehicle;
The determination means determines whether or not the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, based on the activation status of the control system in another vehicle acquired by the reception means. It may be a means.

In this case, a transmission means for transmitting information outside the vehicle is provided,
It is good also as a means which transmits the starting condition of the said predetermined control system in the own vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle by the said transmission means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the user operation assistance apparatus for vehicles which can guide | lead a driver | operator to start the said control system in the environment suitable for starting of a control system can be provided.

1 is a system configuration example of a vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an external configuration example of a dot matrix display 20 and a general-purpose switch 22. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process which the HMI control apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Example performs. It is a figure which shows notionally that a user's editing operation is performed on a user's home PC or PDA. It is the figure which showed the procedure which performs editing operation with the display screen in each step. It is a figure which shows a mode that a user edits the relationship between a specific vehicle environment and a control system using full TFT display 24 grade | etc.,. It is a system structural example of the user operation assistance apparatus 2 for vehicles which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process which the HMI control apparatus 10 which concerns on 2nd Example performs. It is a system structural example of the user operation assistance apparatus 3 for vehicles which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process which the HMI control apparatus 10 which concerns on 3rd Example performs. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of information accumulation processing executed in the center 70. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of information providing processing executed in the center 70.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle user operation assisting device 1 is a device that assists a user operation for activating a predetermined control system that is mounted on a vehicle and activated by a user operation. The predetermined control system is, for example, a constant speed traveling control system (ACC), an inter-vehicle distance control system, a lane keeping control system, an EV (Electric Vehicle) traveling control system, a clearance sonar, or the like. Note that the number of predetermined control systems is not particularly limited and may be independent.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration example of a vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicular user operation assisting device 1 is configured with the HMI control device 10 as a center.

  The HMI control device 10 is, for example, a microcomputer in which a ROM, a RAM, and the like are connected to each other through a bus with a CPU at the center. A storage device such as an R (Compact Disc-Recordable) drive and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an I / O port, a timer, a counter, and the like are provided. The ROM stores programs and data executed by the CPU.

  The HMI control device 10 includes a determination unit 12 and an activation control unit 14 as main functional blocks that function when the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM. Note that the determination unit 12 may be a function of the navigation control device 50.

  In the HMI control apparatus 10, when the determination unit 12 determines that the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system, the start control unit 14 starts for starting the predetermined control system. The means is activated to propose to the user to activate a predetermined control system.

  The vehicle environment in the present invention refers to vehicle position (latitude, longitude), traveling direction, speed, climate, and other information acquired by the following configuration.

  Connected to the HMI control device 10 are a dot matrix display 20, a general-purpose switch 22, a full TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display 24, and a display operation switch 26. The HMI controller 10 includes a low-speed body communication protocol represented by CAN (Controller Area Network) and LIN (Local Interconnect Network), a multimedia communication protocol represented by MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport), Via a vehicle-mounted network using an appropriate communication protocol such as FlexRay, a traveling / braking system control device 40, a chassis system control device 42, a visibility support system control device 44, a navigation control device 50, a body control device 60, a wireless communication device 62, a vehicle sensor 64 and the like are connected. Among these, the traveling / control system control device 40, the chassis system control device 42, the visual field support system control device 44, and the body control device 60 realize the predetermined control system described above.

  FIG. 2 is an external configuration example of the dot matrix display 20 and the general-purpose switch 22. The dot matrix display 20 is a dot display that is installed in, for example, a combination meter and can display an arbitrary pattern.

  The general-purpose switch 22 is provided, for example, at the right end portion (or the left end portion) of the steering boss portion, and can be operated by the driver with the right thumb. On the selection screen displayed on the dot matrix display 20, the general-purpose switch 22 operates to move the cursor or the like upward by tilting the knob upward (feed operation), or downward by tilting the knob downward. An operation for moving to a position (return operation), a determination operation by pressing a knob, and the like are possible. The general-purpose switch 22 is not dedicated to a specific control system, but is of a nature that can be shared between predetermined control systems and used for other purposes.

  The full TFT display 24 is provided at the center of the instrument panel and is mainly used for navigation display. The full TFT display 24 is a display device in which a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, an electrode, a protective insulating film, and the like constituting a transistor are formed in a thin film on a glass or quartz substrate, and has a function as a touch panel. The display operation switch 26 is provided in the periphery of the full TFT display 24, and is mainly used for mode switching, destination input, and the like in the navigation system.

  The traveling / braking system control device 40 includes engine control, hybrid control (HV control), brake control, and cruise control, power traveling control, ECO (Ecology) traveling control, slip avoidance control, and slope assist as applied traveling control. Control, lane keep assist control, EV traveling control, and the like are performed. The chassis system control device 42 performs air suspension control, ride comfort control (including sports control, comfort control, step learning control, etc.) and the like. The visual field support system control device 44 performs lighting system control, camera control, sonar control, visual field support control (including AFS (Adaptive Front-Lighting System) control, auto high beam control, proximity warning control, pedestrian detection control, etc.), etc. Is doing. The body control device 60 performs sheet control, wiper control, mirror control, air conditioning control, and the like.

  The navigation control device 50 is a map DB control, a navigation control (destination) that performs position specifying control for specifying the position of a vehicle by GPS (Global Positioning System) or INS (Inertial Navigation System), writing to a map DB (database), etc. Including a route guidance for guiding to the location and a position providing control for guiding the location of the facility), and a storage device for storing a map DB (database) 52 and specific environment information 54 is incorporated.

  The map DB 52 represents, for example, a road by a node point that represents an intersection, etc., has coordinates (latitude, longitude), and a link that connects the node points and stores a road width, a road curvature, a road type, and the like. Expresses the shape. In addition, the map DB 52 has information including major facilities, intersections, place names, and the like, which are candidates for destinations in navigation guidance, and coordinates or areas such as sharp curves and bridges as point information. The map DB 52 is updated by the wireless communication device 62 or updated by a fixed medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The specific environment information 54 defines the relationship between specific vehicle environment information and a predetermined control system to be activated.

  The wireless communication device 62 communicates with the center 70 via a wireless network such as a mobile phone. The center 70 is, for example, an information service facility of an automobile manufacturer, and is connected to a user's home PC, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like via an Internet network or the like.

  The vehicle sensor 64 includes a gradient sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a yaw rate sensor, an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) in-vehicle device, and the like.

[Main processing flow]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of characteristic processing executed by the HMI control apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

  First, it waits until vehicle environment information (including, for example, the type of road that is running, the name of the facility that is approaching, the traveling direction, the curve approach information, the vehicle speed, etc.) is input from the navigation control device 50, the vehicle sensor 64, and the like ( S100).

  When vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control device 50, the vehicle sensor 64, or the like, the specific environment information 54 is referred to, and whether the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system. Is determined (S102). As a simple example, for example, when driving on a highway where there is no traffic jam, it is determined that the environment is suitable for performing cruise control and lane keep assist control. Note that the control system determined to be suitable for activation in this determination need not be a single control system, and a plurality of control systems may be determined to be suitable for activation at the same time. Conversely, this flow may be executed for each control system.

  When it is determined that the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, it is determined whether or not the starting means for starting the predetermined control system is being started. (S104).

  If it is determined that the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is not being activated, the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is activated and the user is prompted to activate the predetermined control system. To do. (S106).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, contents such as “start in EV mode (Yes / No)” are displayed on the dot matrix display 20, and the cursor movement and determination input can be performed. The general-purpose switch 22 is temporarily functioned. Here, when voice guidance is performed together, it is possible to shorten the time for the driver to look directly at the dot matrix display 20. The environment suitable for starting up in the EV mode is an environment in which a vehicle is started from an urban area, for example. In this case, it is preferable to determine whether or not it is appropriate to start in the EV mode in consideration of the charging rate of the in-vehicle battery.

  Then, it is determined whether or not an activation operation by the driver has been performed from the previous execution of this flow to this time (S108). When the driver performs an activation operation, the predetermined control system is activated and the activation means is stopped (S110).

  Here, “stopping the activation means” means, for example, switching the display on the dot matrix display 20 to a normal background image or the like and turning off the general-purpose switch 22 (or returning to the normal function). Say.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle environment information is not an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, it is determined whether or not the starting means for starting the predetermined control system is being started (S112). ). If it is determined that the activation means is being activated, the activation means is stopped (S114).

  Although this flow has been described as one routine being executed each time vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control device 50 or the like, the vehicle environment information input from the navigation control device 50 or the like is independent of this flow. The flow may be periodically input, and the present flow may be simply executed at a predetermined cycle.

[Edit processing]
In the vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the activation means activated in a specific vehicle environment can be changed by a user editing operation. The user's editing operation is performed on the full TFT display 24, for example.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be performed on the user's home PC or PDA. In this case, as conceptually shown in FIG. 4, the content edited at the user's home PC may be transmitted to the vehicle via the center via the Internet and a wireless communication network, or conveyed by a recording medium and transmitted to the vehicle. May be installed. The application performed on the user's home PC or PDA is preferably the same as the application performed on the full TFT display 24.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure for performing the editing operation together with a display screen at each step. First, a place input screen is displayed on the full TFT display 24 or the like, and the user is made to set a place (a place where the starting means is started) for suggesting starting a predetermined control system using the display operation switch 26 (S200). . As the place input screen, for example, it is preferable to display a scroll map that can be scrolled by the user.

  Next, a function input screen is displayed, and a control system that proposes activation at a set place is selected (S202). In the figure, EV traveling control, ECO traveling control, and AVS control (semi-active suspension control, which is a control that automatically changes the front and rear damping forces according to traveling conditions) are displayed as options. . At this time, a plurality of control systems may be proposed simultaneously. In this case, the general-purpose switch 22 or the like may function as a switch that is activated simultaneously.

  Then, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm the setting of the proposed location (S204).

  Subsequently, the location input screen is displayed again, and the user is allowed to set a suggestion end location (location where the activation means is stopped) (S206).

  Next, a proposal range input screen is displayed and the user is allowed to specify the proposal range (S208). Here, the proposal range may be specified by a road or a range on a map.

  Then, a confirmation screen is displayed and the above settings are confirmed (S210).

  In addition to the procedure of FIG. 5, the user can freely edit the relationship between the specific vehicle environment and the control system, such as “propose the start of cruise control when the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined vehicle speed while driving on the highway”. You can do it. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the user edits the relationship between a specific vehicle environment and a control system using the full TFT display 24 or the like. As shown in the figure, it may be proposed to start the control to shift to the EV mode at the start, to prompt the confirmation of closing by using the general-purpose switch 22 in the latter case, and to propose the start of the cruise control on the highway. The user can determine whether to activate the activation means in these vehicle environments, for example, by touching a check box.

[Others]
In the above description, the activation means has been described as being “displayed on the dot matrix display 20 and selected / determined by the general-purpose switch 22”, but other means may be used.

  For example, it may be displayed on the full TFT display 24 and may be selected and determined by the display operation switch 26, or a software switch may be set on the full TFT display 24. In this case, software switches may be superimposed on the map screen, and icons such as places (highways, urban areas, mountains) for driving a predetermined control system may be displayed.

  Alternatively, it may be displayed on a HUD (Head Up Display) and selected and determined by the general-purpose switch 22.

  It is also possible to propose activation of a predetermined control system by voice and accept activation of the predetermined control system by voice input.

  Further, in the case where different activation systems are employed as the activation means, it is preferable that the user can edit the combination of the activation control system and the activation means.

  According to the vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, the driver can be guided to start the predetermined control system in an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system.

  Moreover, since the predetermined control system is activated using the general-purpose switch 22 that is not dedicated to a specific control system, it is possible to suppress an increase in use of the vehicle space due to the provision of the dedicated switch.

  Further, the general-purpose switch 22 is provided at the right end of the steering boss portion and can be operated by the driver with the thumb of the right hand, etc., so that the driver activates a predetermined control system without concentrating too much on the switch operation. be able to. As a result, it can contribute to traffic safety.

  In addition, since the activation means activated in a specific vehicle environment can be changed by the user's editing operation, it is possible to perform control more suited to the user's needs.

<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, a vehicle user operation assisting device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle user operation assistance device 2 learns the relationship between specific vehicle environment information and a predetermined control device to be activated, in addition to the configuration and functions of the vehicle user operation assistance device 1 of the first embodiment. It has a function. That is, the specific environment information 54 may be stored in advance in the storage device of the navigation control device 50 at the time of vehicle delivery, but instead of (or in addition to) the information learned as in the present embodiment is new. Or as additional / update information.

[Constitution]
FIG. 7 is a system configuration example of the vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The HMI control device 10 included in the vehicle user operation assistance device 2 includes a learning unit 16.

  When the predetermined control system is activated by the user's operation, the learning unit 16 detects the vehicle environment (season, time zone, speed, position (not only absolute position but also how many [m] from home, for example) (Which may be a range) is stored in a RAM or the like. And when the same vehicle environment when the same control system was activated in the past is stored in large numbers, the relationship between the vehicle environment and the predetermined control system is added to the specific environment information 54 as learning data.

The following is an example of the learning rule of the learning unit 16.
(1) Parameters that can be converted into numerical values that fall within about 1σ to 2σ in the normal distribution are regarded as having the same parameters.
(2) Environments having the same parameters are regarded as the same environment.
(3) When the same control system is operated a predetermined number of times or more in the same environment, it is added to add to the specific environment information 54.
(4) However, if the same control system is not operated 100% in the same environment, if the pattern property can be found, it is added to the specific environment information 54 as exception information. For example, when the predetermined control system is not activated due to a specific day of the week or the number of passengers, the predetermined control system is not activated when the specific day of the week or the number of passengers is applicable. .

[Main processing flow]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of characteristic processing executed by the HMI control apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. Since this flow has many processes common to the flow of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the common processes will be briefly described.

  First, it waits until vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control apparatus 50, the vehicle sensor 64, etc. (S300).

  When vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control device 50, the vehicle sensor 64, or the like, the specific environment information 54 is referred to, and whether the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system. Is determined (S302).

  When it is determined that the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, it is determined whether or not the starting means for starting the predetermined control system is being started. (S304).

  If it is determined that the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is not being activated, the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is activated and the user is prompted to activate the predetermined control system. To do. (S306).

  Then, it is determined whether or not an activation operation has been performed by the driver during the period from when this flow was executed last time to this time (S308). When the driver performs an activation operation, the predetermined control system is activated and the activation means is stopped (S310).

  Further, the vehicle environment information input most recently and the predetermined control system activated this time are associated with each other and stored in the RAM or the like (S311).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle environment information is not an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, it is determined whether or not the starting means for starting the predetermined control system is being started (S312). ). If it is determined that the activation means is being activated, the activation means is stopped (S314).

  The combination of the vehicle environment information stored in S311 and the predetermined control system is selected according to the learning rule described above, for example, at a timing such as engine stop, and added to the specific environment information 54. In the specific environment information 54, data that no longer correlates with newly learned learning data is deleted as appropriate.

  According to the vehicle user operation assisting device 2 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the effects exhibited by the vehicle user operation assisting device 1 of the first embodiment, the user tends to learn the activation tendency of the predetermined control system. Since the activation of a predetermined control system is proposed to the user according to the result, it is possible to perform the control more suited to the user's needs.

<Third embodiment>
Hereinafter, a vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle user operation assisting device 3 is connected to the center 70 by the wireless communication device 62 when the learning data is insufficient in addition to the configuration and function of the vehicle user operation assisting device 2 of the second embodiment. It has a function of acquiring learning data in the vehicle.

[Constitution]
FIG. 9 is a system configuration example of the vehicle user operation assisting apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The HMI control device 10 included in the vehicle user operation assistance device 3 includes a communication control unit 18.

  The communication control unit 18 corresponds to the input vehicle environment information among the learning data stored in the specific environment information 54 when the vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control device 50, the vehicle sensor 64, or the like. Determine if it exists and if it is appropriate. And when there is nothing corresponding to the input vehicle environment information or it is not appropriate, the wireless communication device 62 connects to the center 70 and acquires learning data in another vehicle.

  Here, the “inappropriate case” corresponds to a case where the reliability is low because the number of learning data is not sufficient, or a case where the reliability is low because the last update date is old.

  Further, the same determination is made for the learning data acquired from the center 70 by the wireless communication device 62, and there is no equivalent or appropriate vehicle environment information input to the learning data acquired from the center 70. The activation means is not activated.

[Main processing flow]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of characteristic processing executed by the HMI control apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment. Since this flow has many processes common to the flow of FIG. 8 in the second embodiment, the common processes will be briefly described.

  First, it waits until vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control apparatus 50, the vehicle sensor 64, etc. (S400).

  When vehicle environment information is input from the navigation control device 50, the vehicle sensor 64, or the like, it is determined whether or not there is an equivalent to the input vehicle environment information (S401). .

  If there is an equivalent to the input vehicle environment information and it is appropriate, it is determined whether or not the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system ( S402).

  When it is determined that the input vehicle environment information is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, it is determined whether or not the starting means for starting the predetermined control system is being started. (S404).

  If it is determined that the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is not being activated, the activation means for activating the predetermined control system is activated and the user is prompted to activate the predetermined control system. To do. (S406).

  Then, it is determined whether or not an activation operation has been performed by the driver since the previous execution of this flow until this time (S408). When the driver performs an activation operation, the predetermined control system is activated and the activation means is stopped (S410).

  Further, the vehicle environment information input most recently and the predetermined control system activated this time are associated with each other and stored in the RAM or the like (S411).

  If a negative determination is obtained in S401, the wireless communication device 62 connects to the center 70 and acquires learning data in another vehicle (S430).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired learning data corresponds to the input vehicle environment information and is appropriate (S432).

  If there is something corresponding to the input vehicle environment information and it is appropriate, the process proceeds to S402. If there is no information corresponding to the input vehicle environment information or it is not appropriate, the process proceeds to S412.

  When a negative determination is obtained in S402 or S432, it is determined whether or not an activation unit for activating a predetermined control system is being activated (S412). If it is determined that the activation means is being activated, the activation means is stopped (S414).

  In addition, since other vehicles are similarly connected to the center 70 to acquire learning data, the learning data obtained in the own vehicle is uploaded to the center 70 by the wireless communication device 62 at a predetermined timing.

  According to the vehicle user operation assistance device 3 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the effects exhibited by the vehicle user operation assistance device 1 of the first embodiment and the vehicle user operation assistance device 2 of the second embodiment, Even when there is no appropriate learning data in the vehicle, the learning data of the other vehicle is acquired from the center 70, so that a predetermined control system activation proposal can be made more actively.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the vehicle environment information is input and there is no appropriate learning data, the learning data is acquired by connecting to the center 70. You may perform the operation | movement which acquires learning data.

<Center processing>
Here, processing in the center 70 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of information accumulation processing executed in the center 70. This flow is repeatedly executed.

  First, it waits until the starting information (or learning data) of a predetermined control system is received from each vehicle (S500).

  When activation information (or learning data) of a predetermined control system is received, it is determined whether or not the received information is valid (S502). The effectiveness is determined based on the season, time zone, vehicle speed, and the like.

  If it is determined that the received information is not valid, one routine of this flow is terminated without performing any processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received information is valid, the database information held by itself is updated (S504), and one routine of this flow is terminated. In updating the information in the database, the learning data may be edited based on the activation information transmitted from the vehicle, or when learning data is received, it may be simply added.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of information providing processing executed in the center 70. This flow is repeatedly executed.

  First, it waits until it receives the request signal which requests | requires acquisition of learning data from each vehicle (S600). The request signal includes vehicle environment information in the transmission source vehicle.

  When the request signal is received, it is determined whether or not valid learning data matching the vehicle environment information in the transmission source vehicle exists in the database (S602).

  If valid learning data exists in the database, the learning data is transmitted to the vehicle that has transmitted the request signal (S604). On the other hand, if there is no valid learning data in the database, the fact that there is no valid learning data is transmitted to the transmission source vehicle (S606).

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  The present invention can be used in the automobile manufacturing industry, the automobile parts manufacturing industry, and the like.

1, 2, 3 Vehicle user operation assisting device 10 HMI control device 12 Judgment unit 14 Activation control unit 16 Learning unit 18 Communication control unit 20 Dot matrix display 22 General-purpose switch 24 Full TFT display 26 Display operation switch 40 Driving / braking system Control device 42 Chassis system control device 44 Visibility support system control device 50 Navigation control device 60 Body control device 62 Wireless communication device 64 Vehicle sensor 70 Center

Claims (12)

A vehicle user operation assisting device mounted on a vehicle,
Vehicle environment acquisition means for acquiring a vehicle environment;
Determining means for determining whether the vehicle environment acquired by the vehicle environment acquiring means is an environment suitable for starting a predetermined control system started by a user operation;
Starting means for starting the predetermined control system;
Control means for starting the starting means when the determining means determines that the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system;
A vehicle user operation assisting device comprising: The activation means includes a general-purpose switch that temporarily functions as a switch for activating the predetermined control system.
The vehicle user operation assisting device according to claim 1. The general-purpose switch is installed at an end portion of a steering boss portion.
The vehicle user operation assistance device according to claim 2. The activation means includes a software switch set on the touch panel,
The vehicle user operation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The software switch is displayed superimposed on the map screen,
The vehicle user operation assistance device according to claim 4. The activation means is means for receiving a voice input for activating the predetermined control system.
The vehicle user operation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The combination of the predetermined control system and the mode of the activation means can be changed by a user editing operation,
The vehicle user operation assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The vehicle environment acquisition means includes means capable of acquiring a vehicle position,
The determination unit is a unit that determines that the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system when the vehicle position acquired by the vehicle environment acquisition unit reaches a predetermined position. ,
The vehicle user operation assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The activation means activated in a specific vehicle environment can be changed by a user editing operation,
The vehicle user operation assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The determination unit learns whether or not the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, based on an activation state of the predetermined control system in the host vehicle.
The vehicular user operation assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A receiving means for receiving information from outside the vehicle;
The determination means determines whether or not the vehicle environment is an environment suitable for starting the predetermined control system, based on the activation status of the control system in another vehicle acquired by the reception means. Means,
The vehicle user operation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A transmission means for transmitting information outside the vehicle;
The starting state of the predetermined control system in the host vehicle is a means for transmitting outside the vehicle by the transmitting means.
The vehicle user operation assisting device according to claim 11.